Real Surveillance Reform

Every government wants to keep its citizens safe and secure. This is a difficult and
crucial task, especially in the face of tragic attacks and the increased
sophistication of criminal networks.

But government efforts to protect citizens from unnamed threats cannot come at the
expense of our rights to privacy and free expression. In many countries, we’ve lost
the balance between national security and individual rights.

Meaningful surveillance reform is overdue.

In 2013, Edward Snowden shocked the world with deeply troubling revelations about the
extent of government surveillance, particularly in the US and the UK. This opened a
difficult but necessary conversation about the extent to which governments monitor
citizens and the methods they use to do it.

For example, policymakers are pressuring companies to turn over the security keys to
their systems—and even build secret backdoors—to make it easier for governments to
access user data.

These approaches undermine our rights and stunt the free flow of information online.
But there are clear paths to change.

We need to stand together and speak out for real, substantive surveillance reforms
that protect citizens’ rights. Here are a few things we need:

Limitations. Reasonably limit the scope of government
surveillance. For example, put an end to bulk collection of metadata and
warrantless surveillance.

Oversight and accountability. Institute legal and technical
mechanisms that subject surveillance requests to strong checks and balances. This
will protect privacy and free expression while preserving lawful access to data
that can help keep citizens safe.

Transparency. Permit companies to be transparent with users about
how, when, and how much data governments are requesting about their users so that
citizens may hold their governments accountable.

Cooperation. Develop transparent and principled legal mechanisms
that enable governments to cooperate in their investigative efforts and exchange
information across jurisdictions.

People around the world have come together at key moments to demand meaningful
reforms, like when the Take Action community encouraged the US Congress to pass the
USA Freedom Act. These demands are gaining momentum, but we need your help to make
sure reform goes all the way.